I don't even know where to begin on this one. It seems like everyone I know is going through the worst of times.
There's the friend who has an auto-immune disease that is hardening patches of her body tissue.
There's another friend who has been struggling with health issues, the fallout from an unwanted, unforseen divorce, and now is unemployed on top of it all.
A friend who lives in a faraway place, without support from friends and is trying to raise two sons - with barely enough income to make it. She's started having physical issues, due to stress.
A friend who has been in physical pain for most of the last twenty years.
A friend who just seems to keep having issues in her family, one after another, with no let up, for years on end.
A daughter and son-in-law who had a miscarriage at two months along.
An "adopted" daughter whose father can't get it together enough to help his only surviving child with the care of her Nanna (his mother), who was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure. All while her husband is gone on a long trip, of course.
And there are so many more.
How can I know what to say to you? My heart breaks for you all.
But here's what I know: It's okay to grieve. It's okay to cry and to let God know that you're hurting. You don't have to keep it all inside. Bravery is not about keeping it together no matter what. Bravery is in allowing your moments of sadness and grief, and then carrying on afterward.
That's what faith is all about, too. Knowing that God has you in the palm of His hand, and allowing yourself to share your pain with Him. You already know that He will be there on the other side of your pain. What you may not realize is that He will also walk through it beside you and carry you through. But He can only do that if you let Him in. He waits to be invited to share in every aspect of your life, not just the happy parts.
And I am here. I am only a phone call away (360-631-4265). Sometimes all I can do is listen and let you know that you have been heard, but I am willing.
I won't just spout Bible verses at you. That's not what you need. You need real life application. Please hear my heart on this: I'm not saying you don't need the Bible, I'm saying that giving you a verse and saying "God bless you", with a little pat on the head will not help you in this moment.
I've had a disease that caused me pain every hour of every day. I've had an unforseen divorce - two, in fact - and lived through the aftermath. I've been (and am now) unemployed, living in the suspense of wondering where God is taking me next and how I will pay my bills once the severance pay runs out. I've been a single mother, struggling to live paycheck-to-paycheck. I've had a miscarriage and even a family member with congestive heart failure. I've gone through menopause, bad relationships, and bad hair days. I have an estranged brother, an aging mother, a relationship with my father I was never able to repair.
I'm not telling you this to gain your sympathy; I'm saying this so that you know I've been there. I can truly relate to what you're going through. I can hear you. I understand.
But most of all, I love you. I'm on your side. No matter what it is you're going through, even if I haven't experienced it, I am here for you.
And I will not stop loving you, no matter what. There is nothing you have done or will do or say that will stop my loving you and praying for you.
Sharon
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